How to convert OST to PST manually

[davidboon2813]

Manually Converting Exchange OST File to Outlook PST File
There are two popular manual solutions executing which you can convert OST file into PST file or move OST data to the PST file.

A. Archiving OST data to PST file
B. Using Export Feature in Outlook

Note: If the data you want to move from OST file to access is quite less like some emails or many emails with documents in a zip folder, you can directly forward them as emails to any specific email address. Drag and drop action for OST emails to the newly created PST file (go to New Items>More Items>Outlook Data File on the Outlook interface) is also an option if there are few emails only.

A. Archiving OST emails to PST file
Before starting the procedure in this solution, it is to be mentioned that user cannot move contacts or other mailbox items except emails to PST file through this method. Only emails can be archived to PST.

You need to enable archive in order to save OST emails to a new archive PST file. Also, OST file needs to be accessed in the Outlook application, i.e. Exchange connection is needed. Perform the given steps to enable archive for an OST mailbox.

Open your Outlook application and then navigate to File>Options.
Now, click on Advanced option. Under AutoArchive feature section, click on AutoArchive Settings.
In the opened AutoArchive window, add values as per your need to AutoArchive frequency of days, period for deletion of old items, etc. Here, under Move old items to section, you can browse and add the PST location where you want to save OST archived data. After all AutoArchive settings, click OK.
Hence, OST emails are archived to the PST format at your defined system location.
Note: This Archiving feature also helps in maintain Outlook file sizes by auto-archiving or deleting old items from the file by defined settings. You can also navigate to File>Info>Cleanup Tools>Archive to use the facility of manually moving old items as per the time filter from OST file to Archive Folders in the PST list to a specified destination.

B. Using Export feature in Outlook
All Outlook versions integrates in-built Import and Export feature which allows user to move OST files data to PST file easily. The main condition here is that OST file needs to be in connection with Exchange Server at the time of export. It is useful when the user needs to take local and portable backup of Exchange mailboxes data. Let us understand the process.

Run the Outlook application. Go to File>Open & Export>Import/Export.
Select the option saying Export to a file and click on Next.
Next, it will ask the file type you want to save the OST data. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) option. Click Next.
You can move a single mailbox folder (mostly used Inbox folder) to PST. Select your choice and also select the checkbox Include sub folders. Then click on Next to continue.
Click Browse and enter the address for the PST file location on your system. Choose any option for duplicate items and click on Finish.
Next, you can add the password to your saved PST file or continue without it. The process of conversion will start and complete as per the data involved.

I hope both these methods will be useful while converting OST to PST manually
David Boon